New Zealand Cricket has stuck with a proven recipe by appointing Gary Stead its new Black Caps coach.
Former Test opening batsman Stead was unveiled on Wednesday as the replacement for Mike Hesson, who resigned in June to spend more time with his family.
Stead, 46 and also a father of two, has accepted a two-year contract spanning all three formats.
Like when Hesson was appointed six years ago, Stead has no men's international experience, having instead built up an accomplished domestic coaching record.
It was a formula that worked with Hesson who has overseen one of New Zealand's finest periods, using a player-driven model which has transformed the national side into a force in all three formats.
Stead guided Canterbury to four domestic titles during five years in charge, including three Plunket Shield first-class crowns.
As coach of the White Ferns women's team, they reached the final of both the one-day international and Twenty20 World Cups.
Stead will find his feet in Test, ODI and T20 series against Pakistan in the UAE from late October before turning his attention to a busy home summer and next year's World Cup in England.
With a settled and well-performed team at his disposal, Stead said he won't shake the foundations put in place by Hesson.
"It's a matter of helping maintain New Zealand's strong form on the international scene, but also respecting what's happened over the past four or five years by continuing to push for improvement," he said.
"This is a well-established and high-performing Black Caps side with an excellent captain in Kane Williamson and a real desire to win series and titles."
Stead's contract gives him the flexibility to bring in specialist coaching support when deemed necessary, particularly in the T20 format.
NZC chief executive David White said senior players were consulted in the process and it became clear Stead was a popular and respected candidate.
It is believed there were no high-profile applicants with most leading Kiwi coaches tied up with lucrative T20 league contracts.
Stead is the son of former long-serving Canterbury cricketer David Stead and was part of the province's sustained success in the 1990s.
He played five Tests in 1999, averaging just under 35.
